News Release

EQIP - Environmental Investment In Louisiana

Helping People Help the Land

7.01.2011EQIPEnvironmental Investment In LouisianaThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices that address local resource concerns. So far this year, NRCS has invested more than $18.2 million in Louisiana in financial and technical assistance through EQIP to implement conservation practices. USDA recently committed an additional $1.29 million to provide technical and financial assistance to Louisiana's producers through EQIP.

EQIP conservation practices help agricultural producers reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and quantity, create and enhance wildlife habitat, and improve and enhance non-industrial private forestland. Practices include, but are not limited to, field borders to trap nutrient run-off, heavy use protection areas to control erosion caused by livestock, grade stabilization structures to reduce gullies and field erosion, and installation of pumping plants and irrigation pipelines.

“NRCS’ investment in Louisiana’s natural resources will reap great environmental benefits for Louisiana,” said Kevin Norton, NRCS State Conservationist. “The water in our lakes, bayous, and rivers will be cleaner; nutrients applied to crops will not enter our streams and bayous; and we will enjoy abundant wildlife because our farmers and ranchers are installing conservation practices through EQIP.”

Continuous sign-up is available for EQIP. For more information about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, visit your local USDA Service Center or visit our web site.

Notice to Hispanic and/or Women Farmers or Ranchers:Click here if you are a woman or Hispanic farmer and believe you were improperly denied farm loan benefits by USDA between 1981 and 2000. You may be eligible for compensation.

Commitment to EqualityUSDA believes every farmer and rancher should be treated equally and fairly, and we are committed to resolving all cases involving allegations of past discrimination by individuals.

Referral Guide for USDA Settlements and Claims Adjudication Process

Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429. To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov

Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To request a claims package by telephone, call: 1-888-233-5506. To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit: www.indianfarmclass.com

African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II) If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826. To find information online, please visit: www.blackfarmercase.com

To find out more about this conservation opportunity and more, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Office Locator